The Princeton professor, a leading voice for civil discourse, discusses the polarized state of America.

Matthew E. Bunson

Robert George is one of the United States’ leading political philosophers and commentators. He serves as the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, and he has also taught at Harvard Law School.

He has served as chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and as a presidential appointee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He has also served on the President’s Council on Bioethics and as the U.S. member of UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Science and Technology.

George is a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Citizens Medal and the Honorific Medal for the Defense of Human Rights of the Republic of Poland. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. His most recent book is Conscience and Its Enemies (ISI Books).

As you are one of the country’s leading political philosophers, how would you analyze the current state of American political life?

The best way to approach such a question is to assess our nation’s fidelity to its constitutional principles and to the basic civilizational values without which a constitution of liberty cannot be sustained. Judged by that standard, the state of our political life is very poor.

Our institutions and our leaders rarely do more than pay lip service to the principles of limited government, the separation of powers, federalism, respect for the autonomy and integrity of civil society and the rule of law. As a result, the very idea of republican government — that is to say, government not only of the people (which all government is) and for the people (which all good government is, even the rule of a benevolent monarch), but by the people — has been gravely undermined.

We are to a very large extent ruled by an elite who have by various mechanisms established a form of secularist ideology — secular progressivism — as the state religion. Using — in truth, abusing — the judicial system, this elite has deprived the people of the United States of their rightful constitutional authority to, for example, protect human life in all stages and conditions and to embody in their laws the concept of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife. Moreover, it has illegitimately enhanced the power of government, especially the central government, at the expense of the just authority of the family and other institutions of civil society.

You have spoken and written on the importance of civility in public and political discourse. What has caused the current crisis in civility? Are there historical parallels?

Even when political struggles are about means rather than ends, things can get pretty rough and tumble in a democratic polity. But the dangers of partisanship, mutual distrust and contempt and polarization are even graver when political struggles are about ends, and not merely about the best means to agreed-upon goals. And we live at a time of deep division about ends — about good and bad, right and wrong, justice and injustice. That’s why people rightly, alas, speak of a “culture war.”

Our divisions are very deep. They represent a conflict of worldviews — of, in a sense, “religions,” though the culturally dominant religion of our time is, as I’ve noted, a secularist faith. It is the religion (or pseudo-religion) that has given us abortion and assisted suicide, the divorce culture, the normalizing of cohabitation and out-of-wedlock childbearing, gender ideology (including “transgenderism”) and same-sex “marriage.”

Moreover, in recent times, the victories of secular progressivism have been attained largely by demonizing opponents — Catholics, evangelicals, Orthodox Jews, Mormons and other defenders of traditional norms of morality — as “bigots” and “haters.”

Since the majority of people in elite sectors of the news and entertainment media themselves embrace secular progressive ideology, it was comparatively easy for secular progressives to stigmatize and marginalize anyone or any organization that refused to get on board with, for example, their effort to redefine marriage. They were able to bully a great many people into submission or, at least, acquiescence.

By vilifying their opponents, sending a message that no one who supports the idea of marriage as a conjugal union can be a reasonable person of goodwill, they sent a clear signal — a threat, really — to anyone who might even consider standing up to them. It was a strategy of intimidation — and it worked. And when strategies work, be they in politics, business, sports, or anywhere else, they are quickly copied. And that is what is happening now.

And it is not just the secular progressives. Other people — aware that they can use social media to go around the journalistic, entertainment and educational establishments and directly to the public — are deploying the demonization strategy against their opponents — including secular progressives. The so-called “alt-right” is one example.

President Trump himself has been effective on occasion in deploying it via Twitter and at rallies. Secular progressives are learning the hard way that their adversaries can play their game of vilifying and bullying opponents. Just deserts? I’ve heard some conservatives say so. But it is terrible for the country.

You asked about historical precedents. Well, something very much like the polarization and nastiness we are witnessing today famously characterized the struggles between the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republicans in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It reached a boiling point in the presidential election of 1800 between Vice President Thomas Jefferson and President John Adams, placing the very survival of the young nation in jeopardy. When Jefferson won, some Americans wondered whether his opponents would accept the result, and there were even rumors that Adams and the Federalists would refuse to relinquish power. Fortunately, President Adams, who was a good man, honored the election result, and we avoided a civil war — though only temporarily, as it turned out. And, of course, that takes us to the other major historical precedent, the struggle over slavery and racial injustice that did result in civil war. Here, too, the disputes were not merely about means, but about ends — about fundamental matters of right and wrong. And although the war, after consuming the lives of nearly three-quarters of a million people, ended after four years, the struggle went on for more than a hundred more, and we are still living with its aftershocks today.

What do you see as the solution?

Something that is very hard to achieve — and may be impossible. Despite our profound differences, Americans on both or all sides of the great cultural struggles of our day must recognize their opponents (or most, or at least many, of their opponents) as reasonable people of goodwill who, doing their best, have arrived at different conclusions about fundamental moral questions — including basic questions of justice and human rights. If that is to happen, political and intellectual leaders, as well as people in the media, are going to have to model treating their adversaries with respect — and not demonizing them.

My dear friend Cornel West and I have tried to do that in our courses together at Princeton and in our public appearances around the country. The trouble, as I said earlier, is that demonization works. And people know it works. It has paid huge dividends for the same-sex “marriage” movement and some other secular progressive causes. That makes it hard to resist, especially for people who deeply care, as we all should deeply care, about matters of justice and human rights.

Advocates of same-sex “marriage” believe that redefining marriage is a moral imperative, a human-rights issue. I think they are profoundly mistaken about that, but I don’t doubt their sincerity. And I understand their desire to achieve what they regard as a requirement of basic justice by any means necessary — including by demonizing people who disagree with them by labeling them as “bigots” and “haters.” But they need to be aware that once that strategy is seen to work, people with very different ideas will adopt it and justify their using it on the grounds that secular progressives themselves set the terms of the contest as no holds barred.

The biblical warning from Hosea — that “he who sows the wind, will reap the whirlwind” — is apt here. And secular progressives have sown the wind.

Of course, the demonization strategy was scarcely an invention of the same-sex “marriage” movement or the progressives. In the 1950s, Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his allies notoriously vilified and defamed those who did not share their views about the extent of communist infiltration of the United States government or the best ways of fighting Soviet and other forms of communist subversion and aggression. But McCarthy’s campaign of intimidation ultimately failed. He was, in comparatively short order, defeated and shamed. His name lives now only in infamy. “McCarthyism” is almost universally treated as a term of opprobrium — even by people who practice it.

What is most needed in American political life at this moment in history?

Courage — the courage to stand up to bullies and refuse to be intimidated.

You did not support the candidacy of Donald Trump for president. What is your assessment of his administration so far?

To say that I did not support the candidacy of Mr. Trump is the understatement of the year. I fiercely opposed it — though I also opposed Mrs. Clinton.

Like it or not, though, Donald Trump was elected president, and our duty as citizens, it seems to me, is to support him when we can and oppose him when we must. My personal policy has been, and will continue to be, to commend President Trump when he does things that are right and criticize him when he does things that are wrong.

I had urged the same stance towards President Obama, whose election and re-election I also fiercely opposed. I commended President Trump for his nomination of Neil Gorsuch, an outstanding jurist and a true constitutionalist, to fill the seat on the Supreme Court that fell vacant with the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. I have also commended him for some other judicial and executive branch appointments.

I have criticized as unnecessary his policy on pausing immigration from certain countries, and I have criticized as weak to the point of meaningless his executive order on religious freedom. Indeed, I characterized it as a betrayal of his promise to reverse Obama era anti-religious-liberty policies.

Donald Trump is not, and usually doesn’t pretend to be, a man of strict or high principles. He regards himself as a pragmatist, and I think that’s a fair self-assessment. Of course, he is famously transactional. He puts everything on the table and makes deals.

As a pragmatist, he doesn’t have a governing philosophy — he’s neither a conservative nor a liberal. On one day he’ll give a speech to some evangelical pastors that makes him sound like a religious conservative, but the next day he’ll lavishly praise Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is waging an all-out war on those who stand up for traditional moral values in Canada.

Would you comment on Trump’s speech to the Poles?

It was a good speech, and my fellow critics of the president ought not to hesitate to acknowledge that fact.

People on the left freaked out about the speech, but let’s face it: They freaked out because it was Donald Trump who gave it. Had Bill Clinton given the same speech, they would have praised it as visionary and statesman-like.

One thing you have to say for President Trump is that he has been fortunate in his enemies. Although he gives them plenty to legitimately criticize him about, they always go overboard and thus discredit themselves with the very people who elected Mr. Trump and may well re-elect him.

His critics on the left almost seem to go out of their way to make the president look like a hero — and even a victim — to millions of ordinary people who are tired of what one notably honest liberal writer, Conor Lynch of Salon.com, described as “the smug style in American liberalism.”

Are there any potential parallels at all in his speech between Trump and Ronald Reagan? What does Trump need to accomplish to meet Reagan’s lofty standard for the presidency?

Well, the speech was Reaganesque in some ways. That’s true. And in this respect, it contrasted with Mr. Trump’s decidedly non-Reaganesque inaugural address. But there is a massive difference between Reagan and Trump. Although Reagan could sometimes be brought round to a compromise, he was a man of deep conservative principles. Trump is not. He is non-ideological and transactional.

To become like Reagan, the leopard would have to change his spots. It would require the equivalent of a religious conversion. He would have to embrace conservative principles, come to feel them in his bones, and let them call the tune when it came to governing. I’ll say a Hail Mary.

What advice do you give to Catholics trying to be a public witness in this current political and media environment?

My advice is the advice Pope St. John Paul the Great always gave. It is the advice that inspired me when I heard him say Mass in Boston when I was a law student at Harvard in the ’80s. He got it from his Boss — it’s straight out of the Gospel. Here it is: “Be not afraid.” Really, that’s it.

Have courage. Be bold. Do not let yourself be intimidated. Do not yield to the bullies. Stand up. Speak out. Fear God, not men. Be willing to bear the cost of discipleship. Be prepared to take up your cross and follow Jesus — even to Calvary.

Speak the truth in love, leaving no one in doubt about where you stand. Bear faithful witness. Be gentle as doves, but wise — even cunning — as serpents. Do not compromise your principles — out of fear or even in the hope of advancing worthy goals. Do not fall into the error of believing that a good end justifies a bad means. But do work tirelessly for the best causes — especially life and marriage, but also, and relatedly, to lift up the poor, the downtrodden and the persecuted, both here in the United States and abroad.

Praise God when we seem to be making progress; trust him when we seem not to be. Remember that it is ultimately God’s job, not ours, to bring the victories. They will come on his timetable and on his terms.

Our job is to be faithful — to stand up, speak out, and bear witness. And by the way, no Christian is exempt from that duty. So no excuses.

Who do you consider to be a particularly good witness for Catholics today?

Mary Ann Glendon.

Is there an American saint or candidate for canonization you especially admire?

My favorite American saint is St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the “Lily of the Mohawks.”

Do you have a favorite saint?

Given that we may be entering another Diocletian age, I find myself increasingly drawn to St. Lucy.

Dear Mr. Turtle: You speaking points are so quick and precise you remind me of Mr. Hare. Please expand on at least one of them with substance, facts (not polls) and historical examples (not because I say so). Without such information your answer is simply blowing in the wind, my friend.

Posted by Theresa H on Monday, Jul, 24, 2017 5:59 PM (EDT):

I have two thoughts on the following:
1)“The problem today is that one person’s “belief” re. “what is just and right” is often diametrically opposed to another persons “beliefs.”—-There are MAJOR “differences” between someone who is a “Christian”—-“in spirit, soul and body” and someone caught up in “Secularism”—-“in spirit, soul and body.” 2) Is there an American saint or candidate for canonization you especially admire?—-My favorite American saint is St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the “Lily of the Mohawks.” #1 - sums up the big CULTURAL problems we see today with “Secularism” and “Self-centeredness” and #2 sums up the “Beauty” of “a little child” (of whatever age): with the “Simplicity, Love, and Courage” to “enter the Kingdom of Heaven—-a “Martyr” for the Love of JESUS.

Posted by Jim on Monday, Jul, 24, 2017 1:57 PM (EDT):

starTurtle You make a lot of claims against Mr. George. Please give us an exact quote where he says such things-and a link to the article in which those things were said. I don’t want what a homosexual apologist says he said, but a direct quote. I have no doubt of your own distortions. For instance, “- Helped to develop and participated in a strategy to “drive a wedge between gays and blacks”, “fanning hostility” between the two groups.”. Let’s see what the Southern Baptist convention said about the issue of gay “marriage” and trying to equate GLBT issues with “the civil rights movement”:

WHEREAS, Marriage is a covenant relationship and an institution established by God rather than simply a human social construct (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:22–33); and

WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have consistently affirmed our support of the biblical definition of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman; and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures indicate that all sexual behavior outside of marriage is sinful; and

WHEREAS, All people, regardless of race or sexual orientation, are created in the image of God and thus are due respect and love (Genesis 1:26–27); and

WHEREAS, The Department of Justice has argued (Perry v. Schwarzenegger) that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional claiming that DOMA unfairly discriminates against homosexuals; and

WHEREAS, For the first time in history the President of the United States has publicly voiced his personal support of “same-sex marriage”; and

WHEREAS, While homosexuality does not present the distinguishing features of classes entitled to special protections, like the classes of race and gender, we acknowledge the unique struggles experienced by homosexuals in some parts of society; and

WHEREAS, It is regrettable that homosexual rights activists and those who are promoting the recognition of “same-sex marriage” have misappropriated the rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, June 19–20, 2012, oppose any attempt to frame “same-sex marriage” as a civil rights issue; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we deny that the effort to legalize “same-sex marriage” qualifies as a civil rights issue since homosexuality does not qualify as a class meriting special protections, like race and gender; and be it further

Posted by Andrew Eppink on Monday, Jul, 24, 2017 10:47 AM (EDT):

“Wow! What a GREAT article, thanks Mr. George! Remembering the instruction of
Our Lord “Be Not Afraid”.................calms and gives Hope! I think Pres.
Trump is doing many good things, I’m also hopeful that prayers of many,
especially his wife, will help him do more good, persevere against all those
opposed to him, and correct any errors.

I pray Pope Francis will see and correct his errors.

I pray I’ll see and correct MY errors.

Thanks again Mr. George “

My sentiments exactly.

Posted by Thomas Hennigan on Sunday, Jul, 23, 2017 4:46 PM (EDT):

The positions he defends are very good. However, he seems to have no knowledge of the dangerous Islam. I would suggest that anyone in these days who has influence in the public domain study the nature of Islam. Immigration is a kind of jihad. Muhammad was taken in at what then was Yathrib, later changed to Al Medina, the city of the prophet. What did he do there? He took over the place, massacred and exiled all three Jewish tribes who were originally favourable to his being welcomed there as an exile from Mecca. He is considered “the perfect man” by Islamic sources. So, what does anyone who knows anything about Islamic doctrine have to think of unfettered Islamic immigration into any country which is not already Islamized? The lack of such knowledge these days is a very serious defect of any influential person, just as in the XXth century the lack of knowledge of the nature of Nazism and Communnism was.

Posted by Charlie Robson on Sunday, Jul, 23, 2017 3:32 PM (EDT):

This is an excellent article and the comments are spot on. Years ago, a very wise military commander said, “Many times what takes place in the UK takes place here in the US.” So I look to the UK to glimpse what may happen here…not good. We are on the same path and we will sink to even greater depths of insanity. In the not too distant future

Posted by starTurtle on Sunday, Jul, 23, 2017 1:33 PM (EDT):

Jim - I was pointing out the hypocrisy of Robert George, which you fail to address, but instead attempt to divert our attention. You can’t push lies and distortions about a group of people and then lament about deep divisions in our society. Here are some of George’s lies and distortions:
- Claimed that people involved in consenting homosexual relationships are criminals.
- Helped to develop and particpated in a stratgy to “drive a wedge between gays and blacks”, “fanning hostility” between the two groups.
- Promoted propaganda and panic about repealing DOMA and its effect on military chaplains.
- Continues to promote widely discredited disinformation that gay people and couples should not be allowed to adopt or be parents.
- Raises the spectre of polygamy to create fear about marriage equality.
- He has characterized gay people as a threat to children.
- Tried to link marriage equality with pedophilia.

Posted by Jack Reidy on Sunday, Jul, 23, 2017 8:52 AM (EDT):

Wow! What a GREAT article, thanks Mr. George! Remembering the instruction of Our Lord “Be Not Afraid”.................calms and gives Hope! I think Pres. Trump is doing many good things, I’m also hopeful that prayers of many, especially his wife, will help him do more good, persevere against all those opposed to him, and correct any errors.

I pray Pope Francis will see and correct his errors.

I pray I’ll see and correct MY errors.

Thanks again Mr. George

Posted by Theresa H on Saturday, Jul, 22, 2017 4:33 PM (EDT):

Our “divisions” in the USA ARE, indeed, very deep AND SERIOUS, THANKS to our US SUPREME COURT’s 5-4 “division” re. same-sex “marriage” a few months ago. One of our normally “conservative” Justices, surprisingly went over to the “other side” and so, now, we have legalized “homosexual marriage,” despite the fact that the “primary purpose” of “MARRIAGE” IS THE PROPAGATION OF THE HUMAN RACE.” ....Our once Judeo/Christian Culture, which once respected the Word of God in the “Ten Commandments” (which are carved in stone on the grounds of our Nation’s Capital and in the US Supreme Court House) is now broken in pieces!....But, you cannot deny the “Supremecy of GOD” and NOT have subsequent repercussions—-of a very serious nature—-before long.

Posted by Chip Murray on Saturday, Jul, 22, 2017 1:54 PM (EDT):

The very best article I’ve read, and imagine will have read all year. This must be read across the fruited plains, from shining sea to shining sea! May God Bless this man and his words to do just so…

Posted by dave gaetano on Saturday, Jul, 22, 2017 7:14 AM (EDT):

@ mike-
Morality is not determined by polling, nor by majority vote, nor by private conscience.
The current purported tolerance of perverse sexual practice, just like the tolerance of the practice of legal abortion, is a creation of the liberal media. Like many popular opinions, it is a propaganda coup and nothing more.
The truth about homosexual perversity can be found in the Scriptures and the constant teaching of the Catholic Church. There is nothing morally healthy about homosexuality. It is a deadly sin punished by eternal loss (if not repented of).

Posted by Jim on Friday, Jul, 21, 2017 6:02 PM (EDT):

SCC, Democrats including the Clintons are the real bullies. They pick on the most defenseless, the unborn child. They give no quarter in their bullying- calling things which are evil good and things which are good evil. They bully Christians who wish to live their faith. The HHS mandate is the best example though there are others including attacks on bakers, florists and photographers whom they bankrupt and drive out of business-ruining careers, destroying their life’s work should the person choose not to bow to the secular God as defined by progressives.
I’m no friend of Trumps. I would just as soon see him impeached and replaced with Pence, but when it comes to bullying-He’s no match for Hillary.

Posted by Jim on Friday, Jul, 21, 2017 7:30 AM (EDT):

starTurtle You might have a point there. The people who believe in abortion, same sex “marriage”, embryonic stem cell research and the like are really not people of good will. They seek to impose their will, this false religion of secular progressivism on others. They may do it with a smile, wrap themselves in pious platitudes but they are really wolves in sheep’s clothing. They punish those who do not subscribe, ridicule them and drive them from their political ranks. Somebody who will force you to violate your conscience with a smile is not a person of good will. They emphasize “Choice” but that “Choice” is not for thee. If they were Democratic Party was really of good will they would have had the votes to fix the ACA so that it did not impinge upon the conscience rights of others- our bishops begged them to do so- but no! They chose, be it with a smile, to violate conscience rights. Then there was the plot by Democrats to infiltrate the Catholic Church to create a “Catholic Spring”, turning the people against their bishops to achieve the social/political goals of the Party. That’s not being “people of good will”. That’s not to say there aren’t good people in the Democratic Party. Representative Collin Peterson is one of them. I have voted for him many times over the years. He has the courage to stand against the tide, go against the flow. But don’t ask me if Al Franken is a person of good will when he led opposition in the Senate to defeat legislation to “fix” the ACA so that it protected consciences in health care. I’m not for keeping the ACA for the simple reason that even if the rules are changed now to protect conscience rights, a secular progressive will come in some day and change it back again. That’s why I want it repealed and let the states decide how to provide healthcare for their poor.

Posted by SCC on Friday, Jul, 21, 2017 12:05 AM (EDT):

“Stand up to bullies” you bet I will continue to oppose the bully in the White House any way I can. Also, I will continue to call out any “fake” Catholics and “fake” news (NCR) organizations who wrongly support him. Also, I did not find George’s recent remarks about Fr. Martin or asking his students to troll Fr. Martin’s speeches to be very civil. If George is so concerned about civility the last news outlet he should be speaking with is NCR-their readership loves divisive articles. The articles that get the most hits here are usually very divisive, critical of the Holy Father or homophobic.

Posted by mike on Thursday, Jul, 20, 2017 8:34 PM (EDT):

George and most Americans (and westerners) have a fundamental disagreement: most of us understand that being gay is simply a natural and healthy condition that should be celebrated as another aspect of diversity in the human condition. George is stuck in the dark ages and is understood as more of a ‘bigot’ even though he does not technically present himself as such. It is a natural conclusion to see him as a bigoted if one reads his past positions. No matter how much he tries to sugar coat these positions, they are just wrong and mis-informed, although it is assumed that he is well intended. Unfortunately, many have suffered as a result of these well intentioned types…

Posted by starTurtle on Thursday, Jul, 20, 2017 7:03 PM (EDT):

What a self-serving interview! George’s suggestion, that Americans recognize their opponents as reasonable people of goodwill, does not match his own actions. George has long participated in spreading hateful propaganda, inciting fear and hate to further his political goals, which have created and deepened divisions in our country.

Posted by sarah mac on Thursday, Jul, 20, 2017 4:31 PM (EDT):

You don’t get to be a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) without being an elitist.
Thank you, NCR, for the exposure.
It explains volumes.

Posted by john hickey on Thursday, Jul, 20, 2017 10:32 AM (EDT):

We live in strange times where even the very mention of God provokes sneers in many circles. In the end it is Christian behaviour towards those we meet, especially the poor, which will convert. The rest is noise. The young, if we can get their attention, love mystery. Time is the mystery. Everything is present to God, both the birth and death of the Cosmos. In God, all is accomplished. We humans have to live in time, where our past has gone and our future is yet to be.
Humans are intelligent. Now the secularist can imagine alien intelligence on other planets - perhaps a thousand times more intelligent than themselves, perhaps a million times more. By saying it they believe they grasp it. Strange that their minds do not envision angels - or God the omniscient?
Other mysteries abound which make quantum theorists pause - such as the post Resurrection appearances of Christ.. . all much more astounding (and attested) than any work of science fiction- or of struggling philosophies of science.

The crisis of Faith in the Church has its cousins in the secular world. The divisions in social and political life are mirror images of the deepening divisions in the ecclesiastical life. It seems that the darkness of minds is universal and we may soon experience the purification that has been prophesied.

Love his book and thank God for his presence on the American scene!
What he left out is the most fundamental omission, The Politics/Catholicism of the USCCB who has virtually abandoned it’s primary duties. I still can’t believe that we’ve been killing our pre-born babies for 44 years and counting and in all those years of human blood spilling into the soil (soul)of America and would you believe not one bishop has been martyred! Writers for Life, prolifedigest.com

Posted by Ken on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 4:57 PM (EDT):

BZ in AZ writes, “NCR does nothing but contribute to the division. Nearly everything posted here is clearly partisan and slanted.” So are your comments. Not quite sure why you continue to read it if it offends you so much. The truth hurts sometimes.

Posted by Stilbelieve on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 4:48 PM (EDT):

Catholics had clear choices this past presidential election concerning those matters - abortion and same sex “marriage.” One candidate would appoint pro-life judges, and the other would appoint only pro-Roe v. Wade and same-sex “marriage” judges; and, in addition, supported continuing the half billion dollars a year taxpayer funding to Planned Parenthood, while also saying faith-based organizations would have to modify their teachings to “comply with the laws” if she were elected. The latest vote analysis (American National Election Study 2016 [ANES]) shows total Catholic votes for Trump 45%, and for Clinton 48%. When the Hispanic/Latino vote is separated out, the “white” vote was 56% for Trump and 37% for Clinton. The Hispanic/Latino vote for Trump was 19%, and 74% for Clinton. Other races and ethnicities was 18% for Trump, and 75% for Clinton.

Posted by Jim on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 4:09 PM (EDT):

Michael, So you don’t believe in the “non-negotiables”?? You’re OK with same sex “marriage”? With abortion for any reason up until the moment of birth?? With embryonic stem cell research? With requiring faithful Christians to violate their consciences and deeply held beliefs? With the religion of secular progressivism? Gosh!! Who am I to encourage you to stick around. I suspect your reasons for leaving the Church extend well beyond the Donald Trump issue. If Trump were impeached would you be happier? Would you be made happy or unhappy by the appointment of another judge like Gorsuch? I’m not saying I’m a big fan of Trump. I was sickened by his mocking “Little Marko Rubio!!!” I opposed him before his nomination and would much rather had someone else to vote for. Two very deeply flawed candidates- both bullies in their own way. Clinton intent on bullying people who do not subscribe to her progressive secular religion- the Little Sisters of the Poor, faithful florists and bakers. Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses and yes, Taxpayers, who object to material cooperation with abortion. She would have done it very politely of course-it would be less obvious that way, but bullying is bullying. So maybe where you are now is a better fit for you. Christ did not ask people to stick around if they didn’t believe-Judas did however

Posted by Jim on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 3:25 PM (EDT):

The Minnesota Dept of Education is about to issue
“A Toolkit for Ensuring Safe and Supportive Schools for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students Table”

In one section it says:
Athletics
Sports provide youth with unique opportunities to improve their physical fitness and develop valuable life skills such as goal setting, perseverance, teamwork and a commitment to fair play. Transgender students should be afforded equal opportunities to play sports. A student should not be required to provide medical or other documentation that is not required of all students in order to participate, according to 2016 Title IX guidance.13 Title IX requires that schools provide transgender students with the right to participate in such activities, including athletics, in a manner consistent with their gender identity.

This translates to requiring girl basketball teams to allow biological boys to play on the team, to use the same locker rooms and bathrooms-or Vice Versa. It is the imposition of gender ideology on all MN public schools. At the same time the people who promote this reject school choice as a practical option for those who do not hold to the progressive secular religion responsible for this.

Posted by dave gaetano on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 2:08 PM (EDT):

Our divisions are not deep enough. When one party favors the legalization of killing unborn babies, even to the point of doing so while the baby is being born, it is unconscionable that the U.S. bishops’ voting guide does not assert the grave immorality of voting for members of this party (the Democrats).

Posted by Donald Link on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 1:55 PM (EDT):

A good, if not completely on the mark, article. The points are real and well taken. It would appear, that looking over the social landscape today, that one thing stands out as a great contributor to the coarsening of society is the lack of pressure to hide evil and the lack of encouragement to do good. There is a lot that can be written about these two factors, and this article is a start, but that is the bottom line. If this direction is not changed, and soon, we will enter a moral dark age that will make the previous (misnamed) dark age look like Utopia.

Posted by BC in AZ on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 1:53 PM (EDT):

NCR does nothing but contribute to the division. Nearly everything posted here is clearly partisan and slanted.

Posted by JP on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 12:35 PM (EDT):

Demonization works initially but like a spring slowly being pushed down it will eventually pop up against you. The “sting” of the words racist, bigot, hater, Nazi, masogynist is gone. They have no effect anymore when its been used constantly against conservatives. Candidly, I think the White Male is tired of it including White male democrats.

For 8 years we have had a president, the media, hollywood, academia all telling the white male, you’re the problem.

If I was a racist I would have voted for the party that wanted to support & expand Planned Parent Hood knowing how that would impact minorities. I would support BLM knowing once the press leaves the lives of good black people would be impacted negatively from COPS not responding. I would support every entertainer & athlete with a black fist in the air or kneeling knowing it will only divide black from whites which is what a racist wants. I would promote the movement on campuses knowing that overtime that campus will slowly loose financial supporters again impacting black students. I would ignore the fact that 73% of blacks our born out of wedlock after 50% are aborted. Thats what a racist would do.

Posted by bumble bee on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 12:02 PM (EDT):

Very sound analysis. What he is really advocating is that people of faith must always view the world and their place in it on truths of our faiths. To never be partisan, to views issues through our faith rather than political party of view.
That would mean adherence to the Gospel, which calls for prudence and generosity.
The progressive views of poverty, taking care of those in need coupled with the conservative views of giving people livelihoods and opportunities.
All our current societal problems could be solved with equal measure of both polar view points when they are based on witnessing what the Lord freely gives us.
I hope this country can heal, and maybe in order to come to some mutual understanding we could take from the current playbook and start challenging radicals/extremists of both ends that are the fuel for all the discourse, anger and hate we live with daily.

Posted by Lori on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 11:51 AM (EDT):

I’d like to ask, where are the bishops, who call themselves ‘apostles’ giving public witness? He should say the same to them…‘fear God not man’...too many worry about their MONEY and human respect.

Posted by Bob Mitchell on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 11:49 AM (EDT):

Thank you George for confirming what I believe and have been sharing with all who I meet. Bob

Posted by Michael on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 11:32 AM (EDT):

“Stand up to Bullies” jumps off the page as I read this article. As a former Catholic I say thank you to NCR for publishing Robert George’s thoughts. There is no greater political bully than Donald Trump. By election time his list of insults, including Pope Francis, was long to the point of embarrassment. That didn’t matter to the Pastor at my former parish. Vote Republican or lose salvation was the recurring homily title every week in October. I have my own conscience. I think. I evaluate. I vote. Elections have the consequences were are experiencing now.

Posted by Andrew Eppink on Wednesday, Jul, 19, 2017 11:29 AM (EDT):

“We are to a very large extent ruled by an elite who have by various mechanisms established a form of secularist ideology — secular progressivism — as the state religion. Using — in truth, abusing — the judicial system, this elite has deprived the people of the United States of their rightful constitutional authority to, for example, protect human life in all stages and conditions and to embody in their laws the concept of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife. Moreover, it has illegitimately enhanced the power of government, especially the central government, at the expense of the just authority of the family and other institutions of civil society.”

Use of the corrupt lib ‘judiciary’ by libs generally to push the disgusting lib agenda has gone very far in destroying the nation, simply because people are stupid enough to put up with it/them.

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